Translator

November 23, 2009

After another year of racing with his team Garmin – Slipstream, Steven has settled into a fresh training routine for the upcoming 2010 season and is enjoying showing his newly relocated girlfriend, Jen, around northern California. She had some time to compile several questions that Steven’s fans have submitted. Below, she gets the answers in an interview with Steven himself.

Jen: What is it like living in Spain for part of the year? Do you speak Spanish? What do you do during your free time over there?

Steven: Living in Spain for my job is a dream come true. The people and the culture of Spain are incredible. By now, yes, I should be able to speak fluent Spanish but not quite there yet. I sure am learning though from my Spanish friends.
When we’re not training on the awesome roads of the Catalun region, I sometimes head out to the Costa Brava for fishing, snorkeling and just laying on the beach.It’s also nice just strolling the 1000 year old streets of downtown Girona.
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Jen: How many bicycles do you have?

Steven: The team gives us one training bike in the USA and one in Spain. We have a Felt F1 and a Felt AR race bike to choose from while at races along with time trial bikes as well. My own personal collection includes a few Felt cruiser bikes, a cross bike and a mountain bike.
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Jen: What was your favorite moment of racing this year?

Steven: Well I guess it would have to be riding in the break all day at Paris Roubaix. I love that race and am totally hooked.
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Jen: What is the tattoo that sticks out from the sleeve of your jersey?

Steven: The tattoo on my left shoulder is two huge Koi fish. For me, it’s a symbol of perseverance and fortitude. I also like fish and the water.
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Jen: Do you get to ride first class on planes when you fly?

Steven: No way, haha. Definitely don’t get to ride first class on the plane. Our sponsors do and some of the top riders have it negotiated in their contract, but I personally think first class is a waste of space that they could be using to fit more people on a plane. It’s also ridiculously expensive. One time I did get to fly from the Tour of California to Girona (Spain) on Doug Ellis’s private jet. I have to say that was one cool experience that I’ll probably never have the chance to do again.
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Jen: What is your favorite snack to take on training days? (if not Clif bars, which are one of your sponsors)

Steven: Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are my favorite.
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Jen: What sort of music are you listening to these days?

Steven: I always love Nirvana, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tonic, Emerson Hart, Def Leppard and The Offspring.
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Jen: Is the mustache going to make a comeback?

Steven: Of course. I hope my fans print off the stache I have on my web site and wear it at the races I’m in. That would be cool and a lot of fun.
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Jen: Do you guys train as a team or do you train on your own?

Steven: A little bit of both. Since just about the whole team lives in Girona, it makes training as a team very easy.
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Jen: What is the average length of a training ride at this point during the season? And how many days a week do you train?

Steven: At this time of the year, I’m doing anywhere from 15 – 20 hours a week. 5 – 6 days of training a week. It’s a mix between mountain biking and road biking. Right now, I really prefer to ride with people too, but I usually train alone since we spend a lot of time in Guerneville, CA.